EP1540426B1 - Metronome - Google Patents

Abstract

The metronome serves for the optical and acoustic display of tempo, phase and the division of the phases of music pieces or movement rhythms. The above comprises a housing ( 1 ) with a display for the optical display of a movement which describes a curve ( 3 ) similar to a parabola. Means for controlling the display are further provided so that the optical movement oscillates with adjustable frequency and with additional means for the selective electrical generation of tones for acoustically marking the inflection points of the movement and for the selective further acoustic division of the time intervals between the inflection points of the movement. The display advantageously comprises a row of discrete light sources ( 2 ), arranged along a curve ( 3 ) similar to a parabola. The light sources ( 2 ) may be controlled such as to generate a moving light which oscillates back and forth along the row of light sources with adjustable frequency. Said metronome permits innumerable operational variations, however the most important advantage thereof is that the user may follow a rhythm more naturally, closely and precisely thanks to the display of the phase by an oscillation similar to a parabola and is thus carried along therewith.

Description

This invention relates to a metronome for optically and / or acoustically indicating the tempo, the beat and the division of the beat of music pieces for musicians, dancers, choreographers, gymnasts and for the support of rhythm or rhythmic movements in general, such as for users of speech therapies, for athletes of all kinds, etc.

The conventional, by far the most widespread metronomes indicate the beat of a piece of music by means of a pendulum rod, which is pivotally hinged to a horizontal axis of a clockwork and can swing around this back and forth. It is powered by a spring-driven, wind-up clockwork. A mass piece which can be moved on the pendulum rod in the vertical position makes it possible to change the moment of inertia of the pendulum rod so that the pendulum movement is adjustable in its frequency. At the turning points of the pendulum rod, the movement causes a ticking or clicking sound, which resembles the sound of bats and thus indicates the turning points acoustically. Usually, such a metronome still has a bell which is operated by a striking mechanism, which is also driven by the movement. Depending on the setting, the bell can be struck at every turning point, every second, every third, fourth or even every fifth turning point of the pendulum rod.

Such conventional metronomes may indicate optically and acoustically the timing with various adjustable frequencies, but they do not bring the user close enough naturally and close to the rhythm. In the time intervals between the two turning points of the pendulum rod of the user is not or only poorly managed. He can only guess to some extent on the basis of the past, the temporal "location" of the next inflection point or acoustic shock, but is not introduced in a natural way.

Recording studios work with the multi-track setting of a piece of music or a film with a synchronous track, the so-called midi code. This synchronous track corresponds to a standard. Via a microphone or a corresponding interface, it is possible to make vocal, instrumental or by means of a computer, synthesizer, sequencer or a drum or bass machine recordings, ie about dubbing or post-processing. One speaks of so-called "overdubs". Here, however, it is crucial that a musician, who should nachvertonen an instrumental voice, or a singer, who should nachvertonen a vocal voice, very exactly in time with the already recorded music plays or sings. The slightest deviation leads to noticeably poor results, which often means that a setting has to be restarted several times before finally achieving the desired quality. This expensive music recording time must be aufgewändet. With a better metronome, which could also be controlled by the synchronous track (for example, Midi), Vertoner or Nachvertoner would be able to record their recordings decidedly more efficient and to prepare much better in terms of quality, so that many expensive studio hours could be saved. Because of the increased efficiency would be less "sound sessions" or less long "Sound Sessions" needed to record a recording. But every musician, whether singer or instrumentalist, could also sharpen his sense of rhythm and practice it more efficiently with a metronome that brings him closer to the rhythm and then closely follows it. But not only musicians could improve rhythmically, athletes could improve their movements, and movement and speech therapists could promote their patients targeted and better.

It is known in the art from the Patent Abstracts of Japan, Public. 63243786 (Seiko Instr. & Electronics Ltd.) a metronome has become known which shows a row of light sources in which the individual light sources are arranged along a circular arc. The light signals light up sequentially with a constant period. At the ends of the circular arc, adjacent light sources are closest to each other and farthest apart in the middle of the bog. Therefore, the wandering point of light is accelerated so that it is slowest at the lower turning points and fastest in the middle of the bow, that is, in its upper zenith. However, this movement corresponds to no natural movement with which every person is familiar. US 5 515 764 discloses an electronic metronome for indicating the tempo that includes a display for optically indicating a motion that describes a pendulum-like arc. This metronome also has means for driving the display so that the optical movement reciprocates at an adjustable frequency. WO03 / 052528 discloses an electronic metronome for indicating the tempo, characterized in that it includes a display for visual indication of a movement. This motion is one that describes a uniform linear trajectory from left to right and from right to left. Therefore, this motion is the horizontal projection of a parabola-like bow. This metronome has means for driving the display so that the optical movement reciprocates at an adjustable frequency.

The object of the present invention is generally a Metronome to create, which primarily allows a better rhythmic guidance of the user, be it visually or acoustically or in combination with a visual and acoustic rhythm indication. Furthermore, the metronome should make different clock divisions acoustically displayable.

Secondly, it is an object of this invention to provide such a metronome which, in addition to this generally improved rhythmic guidance, also allows for dynamic acoustic guidance by allowing the user to be acoustically guided in a dynamic manner at one go and from that sound also back into dynamic way can be adopted acoustically.

A third object of the invention is to realize with a metronome an interactivity which allows to selectively communicate with the user depending on the rhythm of his singing, playing or his way of movement, for example, to stop or accelerate his rhythm. Overall, the display of the rhythm in each embodiment should be made more natural, that is to say, closer to the natural movement experience of man, be familiar and more appropriate than it is the oscillation of a pendulum rod.

A first object is achieved by a metronome according to claim 1.

A second object is achieved by a metronome for indicating the tempo, clock and the division of the clock of pieces of music or BeWe rhythms with a battery-powered voltage source or an electrical power supply, which is additionally characterized in that means are provided for selectively generating electrical sounds to dynamic acoustic marking of the turning points of the movement and the optional further acoustic subdivision of the time intervals between the turning points of the movement.

A third problem is solved by a metronome for specifying the In addition to the above, characterized in that it includes a display for optically indicating movement describing a parabola-like arc, and means for dividing the beat of musical pieces or movement rhythms with a battery-powered voltage source or an electrical mains connection Driving the display are present so that the optical movement reciprocates with adjustable frequency and / or that means are present for selectively generating electrical sounds for dynamic acoustic marking of the turning points of the movement and the optional further acoustic subdivision of the time intervals between the turning points the movement, as well as that a sensor and an electronic circuit with software for detecting acoustic pulses are present, by means of which an optical or acoustic rhythm indication in response to adjustable Vorlauf- and adjustable Rüc Klauftoleranzen recorded via the sensor rhythms is reproduced.

In the following, embodiments of this metronome will be described in detail with reference to drawings and their function will be explained.

Figur 1:

Ein Metronom mit einer Reihe längs eines Bogens angeordneter Lichtquellen mit unterschiedlichen Abständen zwischen den einzel- nen Lichtquellen;

Figur 2:

Ein Metronom mit einer Reihe längs eines Bogens angeordneter Lichtquellen mit ebenmässigen Abständen zwischen den einzelnen Lichtquellen;

It shows:

FIG. 1:

A metronome comprising a series of light sources arranged along an arc with different distances between the individual light sources;

FIG. 2:

A metronome comprising a series of light sources arranged along an arc with equidistant spacing between the individual light sources;

The FIG. 1 shows a metronome in a first embodiment. It consists of a housing 1, which optionally contains a battery as a voltage source or has an electrical power connection. On the front side, a number of discrete light sources 2 are arranged, along a row, so that this light source row 3 forms an arc. This sheet 3 forms here the display for visual display of a movement which describes a parchment-like bow. As you can see, this arch 3 is parabolic, with the parabola resembling a parabola or being identical to a parabola. The distances between the individual light sources 2 are different. From the bottom light sources, the gaps are increasingly reduced until the distances at the top of the parabola are minimal. The distances are dimensioned such that at a stationary frequency, with which, starting with a lower end of the light source row, the discrete light sources 2 in turn light up, a running light is generated, which initially runs fast, towards the apex of the parabola increasingly slowing down to accelerate again after passing the vertex and being accelerated until reaching the other end of the parabola. The running light therefore describes in principle exactly the movement of a throwing body in the vacuum of a gravitational field. The choice of the distances between the individual light sources determines the acceleration, which acts on the running light, so the fictitious projectile. This pitch-parabolic movement of the chase corresponds to a natural movement that is inherently very familiar to each human being. Every person She learns when he moves at a run, when he jumps or when he alternately jumps back and forth from one foot to the other. Experiments have shown that a musician is guided much more precisely and closely by such a rhythm, and that he feels it spontaneously. It is clear that the steepness of the parabola branches can be varied, just as the trajectory of a projectile can be flatter or steeper, depending on the elevation angle at which the projectile is thrown or shot.

In a first embodiment presented here, the time intervals, in the distance of which the light sources 2 of the arcuately arranged light source row illuminate successively, are constant. For the distances between the individual light sources are variable, as clearly seen in the drawing. These are mathematically calculated on the basis of a parabola, and correspondingly the light sources 2 are arranged at different distances, so that the light sources 2 illuminating at constant time intervals produce a running light which decelerates in vertical direction during the upward movement from a constant negative acceleration and vice versa when moving down is accelerated with a constant positive acceleration. For sequential driving of the light sources 2 on the series of these parabola are mechanical, electrical or electronic driving means belonging to the metronome. These control means may be a mechanical clock which, after each elapsed, constant but adjustable time interval, makes an electrical contact which respectively illuminates the next light source 2 in the row. The means can also be carried out electrically, for example in the form of a Wagnerian hammer similar to an old house bell. The distance between the hammer and the electromagnet then determines the frequency. The least expensive and most cost-effective design relies on an electronic circuit with or without a microprocessor. Such an electronic circuit, namely a microprocessor, could also readily have a data interface for driving other devices. Thus, for example, a sequencer, a computer or an electrical instrument with the same frequency or electrical signals generated therefrom can be triggered become. Conversely, the metronome can be controlled by other devices via this interface or data transmissions can be made, such as to load updates, new sounds, new presets or the like.

It is clear, moreover, that the same or at least similar effect of a visually displayed parabola-like path is achieved even if, for example, the movement of the running light only approximates an ideal parabola. Important is the natural, every man familiar bouncing movement, which he knows of a jumping ball, although with the running light, of course, a perfect jumping, that is undamped jumping ball is simulated and any other influence of damping, for example by the air resistance, is eliminated.

In a second embodiment of the metronome, which in FIG. 2 is shown, the light sources 2 are arranged along the sheet 3 at constant distances from each other. Nevertheless, in order to simulate a throw parabolic movement with the running light, the time intervals between the illumination of the light sources 2 against the apex of the parabola or the arc 3 are extended so that optically the running light is slowed down, and after passing through the vertex the running light becomes visually accelerated in the same way by the distances between the light sources are gradually shortened again, so that finally the same effect is achieved and the running light behaves optically the same or very similar to a jumping or elastic jumping ball. This special control of the light sources after different time intervals is best provided by a microprocessor. The higher frequency, ie the time interval between the turning points of the running light, can then also be set via this. Depending on that, the running light jumps back and forth more or less quickly. At low frequencies, the impression of a trajectory of a body, recorded in slow motion, gives the impression of a trajectory in fast motion at fast frequencies. Somewhere in between there is a frequency at which the trajectory corresponds to the natural trajectory of a body under the influence of earth-gravity, albeit neglecting air resistance. Nevertheless, the visual impression of something like a ball and leaps forward running light effect very natural and familiar. Because the viewer is visually guided between the turning points, he can more accurately guess the time of the next turning point and absorb his sense of rhythm. This can optionally be supported by the acoustic display of the turning points. For this purpose, when the outermost light sources are reached by the running light, an acoustic tone is generated in each case electronically, which has a strong initial peak or swells up to such a tip and then decays rapidly, similar to a striking and somewhat elastically receding throwing ball.

If the metronome is equipped with a suitable programmed microprocessor, a whole range of useful functions can be set, including the metronome input buttons, input buttons or program input buttons, and a display for displaying various sizes. Here are some of these features and displays. So shows FIG. 1 For example, a three-digit counter 4, each with a knob 5,6,7 to each of the three digits of the counter 4. Furthermore, you can see a separate counter 8 with associated knob 9. Below the parabolic arc 3 are five controllers 10-14 in the form of Sliders are shown, which are displaceable from a lower minimum position up to a local maximum position. At the top right there is an on / off switch 16. The commissioning of this metronome is now carried out as follows. With the turn on by operating the on / off switch 16, the running light starts to run along the arcuately arranged light sources 2 and then runs back and forth between the two-sided last light sources. It can now be set via the knobs 5,6 and 7, the number of stops per minute. The knob 5 causes the setting of the hundreds, so about one hundred, two hundred, three hundred, etc. stops, these hundreds are displayed in the counter window 4 far left. The knob 6 allows the setting of the tens and the knob 7, the setting of one. As an example, the figure sets a strike rate of 146 per minute, which is usually 146 quarter notes per minute. With the knob 9, a specific time signature can be set. In the FIG. 1 the associated counter 8 indicates the value 4, which 4/4 time means. If the counter shows the value 3, then a 3/4 time is set, with the value 6 a 6/8 time. With the adjustment made so far, the metronome is ready for use. Thus, in the example shown, there is a quarter-time clock at 146 beats per minute, and because a quarter-clock is set, the first quarter note of each bar is audibly displayed, that is, always one of four quarter notes, that is, one two three four one two three four etc. If the same number of strokes per minute is selected with a three-quarter time, ie with a three in the display 8, then the first quarter note of a three-quarter time is displayed acoustically, ie one two three one two three. With the slider 10, the acoustic strength or the sound volume of this acoustic display can be regulated. Optionally, further beats can be acoustically displayed within a certain set clock by an acoustic sound is generated at the appropriate clock points. The slider 11 sounds the first sixteenth notes of each quarter note, more or less loud depending on the shift position. The slider 12 sounds the second sixteenth of each quarter note, the slider 13 the third sixteenth of each quarter note, the slider 14 the fourth sixteenth of each quarter note, and the slider 15 finally the second and third eighth triole of each quarter note.

In the execution after FIG. 2 all displays are electronically, that is by means of a liquid crystal display LCD 4, 8. Instead of knobs here are setting buttons 5,6,7; 9 and 10-14 kicked, each with a plus button for rising and a minus button for falling values. However, the setting can also be done via fewer keys, for example, by providing a single liquid crystal display, which has a menu navigation, so that successively all desired values with a plus / minus button and set via a set function, for example in a E ² -PROM ( E lectrical E rasable P rogramable R ead O nly M emory) can be stored. Also, the display for indicating the movement may be a liquid crystal display LCD on which the movement of a throwing body is graphically displayed. In this case, the metronome comes without light sources.

Depending on the version of the metronome this can take over a variety of functions that are adjustable on the metronome. In addition to the tempo, ie the number of beats per minute and the time signature, the number of loops (default = ∞) can also be set, ie how many times the movement or the running light bounces back and forth, and of course the overall volume of the acoustic displays. Furthermore, the starting point can be selected, ie whether the movement or the running light starts on the left or right. The sounds superimposed on the movement or the chase can be adjusted in quality and volume. With different timbres and volumes, the first beats of each bar can be audibly displayed. It can be selected whether the quarter note or eighth or even sixteenth note should be indicated acoustically. Intercaps as they are common in jazz music, can be displayed acoustically, about every eighth note as an intermediate beat, or every eighth-triplets individually or each semiquaver individually, etc. Furthermore, various presets can be stored sequentially as a piece.

Particularly helpful functions are the counting modes. The count-in mode consists of a preset with n loops, for example 4 to 8 loops. The metronome starts, the musician takes over the given tempo and the motronom then turns itself off after the defined number of bars. By contrast, the count-through mode consists of a preset with ∞ loops. The metronome runs after power up until it is turned off by hand. A modified count-through mode consists of presets that are assembled into one piece. The metronome plays the piece either continuously, once or a defined number of passes.

The metronome can also be realized in a purely acoustic version. In this case, there are only means available for optionally electrically generating sounds for the dynamic acoustic marking of the turning points of the movement and for optionally further acoustic subdivision of the time intervals between the turning points of the movement. Even such an acoustic indication of the turning points can lead a user much more naturally in the rhythm. For this purpose, a tone is synthetically generated, which for example acoustically simulates and / or accompanies the approach of a jumping or bouncing ball. Typically, a sound reverberates after the impact of a ball. With a synthetically generated sound, a sound can be specified in advance of the beat and be changed in terms of sound or frequency or volume, so that you are acoustically guided to the time point of impact. Such a metronome, which leads the user purely acoustically, almost seamlessly and in a natural way, is especially advantageous if you have to focus your gaze on notes and not pay attention to a visual display.

With a data interface interactive functions can be realized, either on a purely optical metronome, or on a purely acoustically acting metronome or on both a visual and acoustic simultaneously acting metronome of the kind presented. For example, the metronome with a microphone or a sensor in the form of a sensitive surface, which interacts with a pad or piezoelectric crystal as an electric pulse generator, be equipped, on which it can be given a rhythm or rhythmic one-time or one-time permanent tempo. The intervals between the constantly input basic beats are measured and the tempo is determined, whereby the tolerance of deviation of the given frequency is adjustable. If strokes are outside the set tolerance or if no entry is made, the metronome will continue to run at a constant tempo based on the last valid tempo entry.

Interactivity may also allow errors to be detected through an external or internal microphone. For example, a tolerance may be entered as plus and / or minus, and the metronome will then check compliance with its default footfall by comparing the incoming signal from the microphone or sensor. The error can be displayed optically or acoustically. The musician can even be actively invited by the metronome to play slower or faster until he plays back in sync with the metronome. Inputs from the microphone that are after the first beat and before the second beat are acknowledged with "slower". entries After the first beat, which are received after the second stroke, they are answered with "faster". In a special mode, the measurement results can also be cumulated and specified at the end. The metronome then continuously detects the user's deviation from the given rhythm by detecting the acoustic or mechanical signals generated by the user via the microphone or the sensor and continuously saving the deviations. At the end, the metronome can then indicate, for example, in optical or acoustic form, the cumulative measurement result, namely, how many percent of the musicians played too fast or too slow compared to the given tempo, or how many strokes a user made compared to a given number of strokes. Overall, this metronome allows unexpected operating variants. Its most important advantage, however, is to be seen in the fact that the user, thanks to the display of the clock by a riddle parabola-like back and forth movement much more natural, familiar and brought closer to a rhythm and then "guided along" him.

Claims (12)

1. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat of pieces of music or movement rhythms with a battery-operated voltage source or with an electrical mains connection, whereby the metronome comprises a display for the optical display of a movement which is arranged in such manner as to describe a trajectory-parabola-like arc (3) which includes a horizontal, uniform movement component as well as a vertical accelerated movement component and therefore describes a shot parabola-like arc, and whereby means for activating the display are present which are arranged in such matter that the optical movement runs to and fro at an adjustable frequency.
2. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat time of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means for the selective electrical production of sounds for the dynamic acoustic marking of the turning points of a movement and for the selective further acoustic subdivision of the time intervals between the turning points of the movement, as well as that a sensor and an electronic circuit with a software for detecting acoustic impulses are present, by means of which an optical or acoustic display of rhythm may be represented in dependence on adjustable run-ahead tolerances or adjustable run-behind tolerances of the rhythms recorded via the sensor.
3. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to claim 1, characterised in that the display includes a row of discrete light sources (2) which are arranged along a trajectory-parabola-like arc (3), and that means for activating these light sources (2) are present, by way of which the light sources (2) may be activated in a manner such that they produce a running light which runs to and fro along the light source row at a settable frequency, and further that means are provided for the selective electrical production of sounds for the acoustic marking of the turning points of the running light and for the selective further acoustic subdivision of the time intervals between the turning points of the running light.
4. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to claim 3, characterised in that the discrete light sources (2) which are successive in the row are arranged at different distances to one another, so that with time intervals between the illumination of the individual light sources (2), said intervals remaining the same, the trajectory (3) of a body may be simulated optically, which with regard to the vertical component of the optical movement undergoes a negative acceleration in the upwards movement and with the downwards movement undergoes a positive acceleration, whilst the horizontal component of the optical movement is uniform.
5. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to claim 3, characterised in that the discrete light sources (2) which are successive in the row are arranged at constant distances to one another, so that with the successive activation at different time intervals of the light sources (2) which are successive in the row, a running light may be produced which optically simulates the trajectory of a body (3) which with regard to the vertical component of the optical movement undergoes a negative acceleration in the upwards movement and with the downwards movement undergoes a positive acceleration.
6. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the [beat] time, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to one of the claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the means for activating the light sources (2) include a microprocessor by way of which the light sources (2) which are successive in the row may be activated with such time intervals that a running light may be produced which optically simulates the trajectory of a body (3) which with regard to the vertical component of the optical movement undergoes a negative acceleration in the upwards movement and with the downwards movement undergoes a positive acceleration.
7. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to one of the claims 3 to 6, characterised in that it comprises a setting display (4;8) with program input buttons (5-7;9;10-14) for the setting and the display of the number of turning points of the movement or of the running light per minute as well as the beat type and the type of acoustic subdivision of each beat.
8. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to one of the claims 3 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a three digit counter (4) for setting and displaying the number of turning points of the running light per minute with a separate input rotary knob (5-7) for each digit location, or with a separate plus/minus button, and that it furthermore comprises an input rotary knob (9) or a plus/minus button for the selective setting of a beat type with an associated digital display (8).
9. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to one of the claims 6 to 8, characterised in that by way of a suitable input at the program input buttons (5-7;9;10-14), in a selective manner acoustic tones of different frequencies, timbres and volumes may be superimposed on the optically simulated movement, controlled by the microprocessor, so that a tone may be started whose volume or intensity increases over the movement of the running light over the individual light sources (2) of the arc (3) or over a part of these, and on reaching the outermost light sources of the arc achieves its maximum or intensity centre, and fades after this.
10. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat and the subdivision of the beat, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to one of the claims 5 to 9, characterised in that for detecting rhythms which are produced by the user, a symmetrical or asymmetrical tolerance to the predefined metronome beats may be set in a manner such that when these are exceeded by the user, cumulated measurement results as well as instructions for accelerating or slowing down the user-rhythm may be reproduced optically or acoustically via a display or loudspeaker.
11. A metronome for displaying the tempo, beat time and the subdivision of the beat, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to one of the claim 2 to 10, characterised in the dynamics of the acoustic marking may be set according to timbre, sound hardness as well as according to the linear or dynamic increase and attenuation over settable time periods before or after the beat to be displayed.
12. A metronome for displaying the tempo, [beat] time and the subdivision of the beat, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to one of the claims 2 to 10, characterised in that via a microprocessor with software for detecting rhythms, a symmetrical or asymmetrical tolerance to the predefined set metronome beats may be set in a manner such that when the user exceeds these, cumulated measurement results as well as instructions for accelerating or slowing down the user rhythm may be reproduced via the display or loudspeaker optically or acoustically.

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